Education
Post-doc. (Neurotoxicology): Colorado State University
2023 - 2026
PhD. (Toxicology): Boise State University
2019 - 2023
B.S. (Biology): The University of Akron
2015 - 2019
Relevant Experience
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• Examine glial-mediated inflammation in toxin-based models of neurodegenerative disease using high-content slide scanning microscopy.
• Analyze data using machine learning-based quantification networks to interrogate aberrant signal transduction in transgenic murine systems.
• Utilize epigenetic and transcriptomic profiling tools to further understand molecular mechanisms which underlie these phenomena.
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• Performed research on the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on central nervous and reproductive systems using epigenetic and transcriptomic techniques.
• Demonstrated the ability of outdoor air pollution to infiltrate indoor air during major wildfire events.
• Showcased that HEPA filtration is effective in abrogating molecular effects induced by this exposure.
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• Conducted research on the comorbid relationship between osteoporosis-like bone mineral density deficit and Alzheimer's disease pathology in transgenic murine models.
• Characterized visual system degeneration in the 3xTG AD mouse strain using protein quantification, enzyme activity assay, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy techniques.
• Managed in-life project specifics for assessing the effects of opioid use on cortical bone microarchitectural remodeling in a rabbit model.
• Presented research findings through posters at various scientific conferences and contributed to manuscript preparation.
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• Administered test articles in various animal models at a pre-clinical safety assessment site.
• Collected tissues for pathological analysis to ensure accurate research outcomes.
• Contributed to the success of GLP facility operations by executing in-life tasks efficiently.
Selected Conference Presentations
WPC 2026
Juvenile manganese exposure potentiates dopaminergic neurodegeneration resulting from encephalitic arbovirus infection via astrocyte-mediated inflammatory signaling
Phoenix, AZ
Poster Presentation
Travel Award
SOT 2025
Low-dose rotenone exposure induces astrocytic DNA damage as well as STING-dependent modulation of interferon signal transduction
Orlando, FL
Poster Presentation
OTA Postdoctoral Achievement Award
EMGS 2024
Wildfire smoke exposure and associated molecular pattern disruption in peripheral body systems
Palm Springs, CA
Invited Speaker
SfN 2023
Physical exercise induces sex-dependent changes in hippocampal DNA methylation patterns in transgenic Alzheimer’s disease rats
Washington D.C.
Poster Presentation
MWSOT 2023
Implications for passive outdoor-to-indoor infiltration of wildfire smoke particulate matter on laboratory animal models
Aurora, CO
Poster Presentation
1st Place Postdoctoral Poster Presentation
SOT 2022
Differential sperm DNA methylation in an ApoE-/- mouse model following simulated wildfire smoke exposure
San Diego, CA
Poster Presentation
Publications
“Infection with Western equine encephalitis virus causes severe regional glial reactivity and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus with progressive accumulation of amyloid-β”
Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, 2026
“Simulated wildfire smoke particulate matter elicits STING-dependent astrocyte-mediated inflammatory signaling and neurotoxicity”
Neurotoxicology, 2026
“Robust differential gene expression patterns in the pre-frontal cortex of male mice exposed to an occupationally relevant dose of laboratory generated wildfire smoke”
Toxicological Sciences, 2024
“Indoor air quality considerations for laboratory animals in wildfire-impacted regions—a pilot study”
Toxics, 2022
“Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a model system for longitudinal experimental opioid treatments: implications for orthopedic and biomedical research”
Osteology, 2021
“Treadmill training induces sex-dependent changes in hippocampal epigenetic patterns and plaque-associated microglial morphology in aged TgF344 rats”
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2026
“Exposure to manganese during juvenile development increases microglial activation in the hippocampus following systemic infection with A/California/04/2009 Influenza A H1N1 virus”
Frontiers in Toxicology, 2026
“Wildfire smoke toxicology and health”
Chapter 11, Landscape Fire, Smoke, and Health: Linking Biomass Burning Emissions to Human Well‐Being, 2023
“Alterations in retinal signaling across age and sex in 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease mice”
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2022
“Simulated wildfire smoke significantly alters sperm DNA methylation patterns in a murine model”
Toxics, 2021
“Influence of woodsmoke exposure on molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease: existing literature and gaps in our understanding”
Epigenetics Insights, 2020